Transform your holiday table or any special occasion with this incredibly easy and utterly delicious Sweet and Spicy Ham Glaze. Crafted with just three essential ingredients – sweet jam, fiery chipotle peppers, and a perfectly cooked ham – this recipe promises a baked ham that’s wonderfully sweet with an intriguing kick of spice. It’s an effortless way to elevate a classic dish into something truly memorable, ensuring every slice is bursting with flavor.
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If you’re a true ham aficionado, you might also enjoy exploring this delightful Brown Sugar and Cherry Glazed Ham for another fantastic flavor profile.
Why Ham Deserves the Spotlight: Beyond Thanksgiving Turkey
For many, Thanksgiving dinner holds the undisputed crown for holiday feasting. The grandeur of a roasted turkey, the comforting array of side dishes, the irresistible warmth of homemade rolls, and the decadent pies often dominate culinary conversations for weeks. But let’s not overlook the equally deserving star of other festive occasions: Christmas dinner, or any gathering where a magnificent main course is desired.
While Christmas dinner traditions can sometimes be more flexible (we’ve even ventured into Mexican cuisine for our holiday meal!), there’s an undeniable charm and satisfaction that comes with serving a beautifully baked ham. It’s often easier to prepare than a turkey, lending itself to a more relaxed cooking experience. Beyond its ease, there’s a timeless tradition associated with ham, evoking feelings of warmth and celebration. Plus, who can resist the opportunity to enjoy those beloved holiday side dishes all over again?
This year, if you’re looking to infuse a bit of excitement into your festive menu while still honoring the classic Christmas ham, this Sweet and Spicy Ham Glaze recipe is your perfect companion. The glaze itself is remarkably simple, requiring minimal effort. Yet, it delivers that anticipated sweetness everyone loves, brilliantly balanced with a subtle yet invigorating spice that truly livens up the palate. I am genuinely enamored with this baked ham recipe and eagerly anticipate preparing it for every special occasion, especially Christmas day!
Achieving Perfection: Essential Tips for Your Baked Ham
Having prepared this ham numerous times, I’ve refined a few key techniques that consistently lead to outstanding results. Follow these tips for a perfectly moist and flavorful baked ham:
- Choose the Right Ham: For the best flavor and texture, I highly recommend using a bone-in, spiral-cut city ham. City hams are typically cured and often smoked, providing a rich foundation for your glaze. The spiral cut is a game-changer, as it allows the glaze to permeate deep into the meat, ensuring every bite is infused with sweet and spicy goodness. These hams are readily available, especially leading up to major holidays like Easter and Christmas. Remember, most hams sold in stores are fully cooked, so your primary goal is to warm it thoroughly without drying it out.
- Maintain Moisture with Proper Covering: The biggest secret to a moist baked ham is preventing it from drying out during its time in the oven. For the majority of the cooking process, ensure your ham is tightly covered with aluminum foil. This creates a steamy environment that keeps the ham succulent. I only remove the foil and apply the glaze during the final 45 minutes of baking. Leaving the ham uncovered for too long is a common mistake that can result in a tough, dry texture.
- Scoring for Maximum Flavor: While spiral-cut hams are already pre-sliced, scoring the fatty top in a diamond pattern offers several benefits. It creates more surface area for the glaze to adhere to, allowing those delicious sweet and spicy flavors to truly penetrate. It also helps render some of the fat, contributing to a crisper exterior and richer flavor.
Crafting the Irresistible Sweet and Spicy Ham Glaze
The beauty of this ham glaze lies in its sheer simplicity and profound flavor. With just two core ingredients, you can create a condiment that transforms an ordinary ham into an extraordinary centerpiece. The glaze is composed of luscious blackberry preserves and smoky, spicy chipotles in adobo sauce.
While I’ve perfected this recipe using blackberry preserves, their rich, slightly tart sweetness provides an ideal counterpoint to the chipotles. However, if blackberry isn’t your preference, most other fruit jams or preserves would likely work beautifully. Consider apricot, peach, or even a cherry jam for slightly different but equally delicious flavor variations.
For the chipotles in adobo, careful preparation is key to controlling the heat. I typically use a small paring knife to carefully cut the chiles open lengthwise, then use the tip of the knife to scrape out the seeds and the internal white membranes. These parts contain the majority of the capsaicin, which is responsible for the heat. Once de-seeded, I finely mince the chipotles. This method yields a glaze with a delightful spicy kick without being overwhelmingly hot, allowing the smoky flavor of the chipotle to shine. If you’re a true heat seeker, feel free to leave some or all of the seeds in, but proceed with caution – a little goes a long way!
Optimal Cooking Times: Ensuring a Perfectly Heated Ham
A common misconception is that a pre-cooked ham, which most store-bought hams are, doesn’t need much cooking. However, it’s crucial to warm the ham thoroughly to a safe internal temperature to ensure both food safety and the best eating experience. The goal is to reach an internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC). Overbaking can lead to a dry, tough ham, so precision is key.
The cooking time will vary based on whether you have a bone-in or boneless ham, and its weight:
- Bone-in Ham: For a bone-in ham, plan for approximately 15 to 18 minutes per pound. The bone helps distribute heat evenly and can contribute to a more flavorful and moist ham.
- Boneless Ham: A boneless ham will generally cook faster, requiring about 10 minutes per pound.
To accurately monitor the internal temperature and prevent overcooking, an instant-read meat thermometer is an indispensable tool. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the ham, avoiding the bone, to get the most accurate reading. Begin checking the temperature about 30 minutes before the estimated end of the cooking time. Once the ham reaches 145ºF, remove it from the oven, tent it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before carving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy ham.
Planning Your Feast: How Much Ham Per Person?
Estimating the right amount of ham is crucial for any gathering, ensuring everyone gets a satisfying serving while ideally leaving some for delightful leftovers. The quantity needed per person will vary slightly depending on whether you choose a bone-in or boneless ham, as the bone accounts for a significant portion of the total weight.
- For Bone-in Ham: A good general rule of thumb is to plan for approximately 3/4 pound of bone-in ham per person. This accounts for the weight of the bone and provides a generous serving of meat. For example, a 10-pound bone-in ham should comfortably feed 12-14 people.
- For Boneless Ham: With boneless ham, you’ll need slightly less, typically 1/3 to 1/2 pound per person. Since there’s no bone, nearly all the weight is edible meat.
Remember, these are raw weights, and the ham will lose some moisture and weight during the baking process. When planning, always consider if you’d like leftovers. And trust me, you absolutely will with this recipe! Don’t miss out on transforming any remaining ham into these incredible dishes:
- Creamy Shells and Ham Casserole: A comforting and hearty meal perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Ham and Cheese Breakfast Casserole: An excellent way to start your day with savory flavors.
- Ham and Cheese Crescent Bake: Quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying, ideal for a light lunch or appetizer.
- Ranch Ham and Cheese Pasta: A unique twist on pasta night, packed with flavor.
The Perfect Ensemble: Side Dishes to Complement Your Glazed Ham
A magnificent glazed ham deserves an equally impressive array of side dishes to complete the meal. The sweet and spicy notes of this ham pair beautifully with a variety of textures and flavors, from creamy potatoes to crisp salads and fresh vegetables. Here are some ideal companions:
- Scalloped Potatoes: Rich, creamy, and utterly comforting, these potatoes are a classic pairing that never disappoints.
- Scalloped Corn and Broccoli: A fantastic way to add both a vegetable and a touch of sweetness to your plate, complementing the ham’s glaze.
- Lion House Rolls: Soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, these rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra glaze or serving alongside the ham.
- Apple Pomegranate Salad: A light, crisp, and refreshing salad offering a wonderful contrast to the richness of the ham.
- Sesame Green Beans: A vibrant and flavorful vegetable side that adds a touch of Asian-inspired flair and crunch.
- Roasted Asparagus: Simple yet elegant, roasted asparagus with a hint of lemon perfectly balances the savory ham.
- Creamed Spinach: A decadent and rich vegetable side that adds another layer of comfort to your holiday spread.
Essential Tools for Mastering This Sweet and Spicy Ham Glaze Recipe
Having the right kitchen tools can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and successful cooking experience. For this ham recipe, a few key items will be particularly helpful:
- Roasting Pan or Baking Dish: You can certainly use a dedicated roasting pan for larger hams. However, for most common sizes (up to 10-12 pounds), a regular 9×13-inch baking dish works perfectly well. Ensure it’s deep enough to catch any drippings and juices.
- Instant-Read Thermometer: This is arguably one of the most indispensable kitchen tools, especially when cooking large cuts of meat. My personal favorite is my Thermapen; it’s an investment that pays off daily with its speed and accuracy. It’s crucial for ensuring your ham reaches the safe internal temperature of 145ºF without becoming overcooked and dry.
- Basting Brush: A silicone basting brush is ideal for evenly applying the sweet and spicy glaze over the ham, ensuring every inch is coated for maximum flavor and a beautiful caramelized finish.
- Sharp Paring Knife: Essential for carefully removing the seeds from the chipotle peppers and scoring the ham if desired.
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Sweet and Spicy Ham Glaze Recipe
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Yields 14 servings
Ingredients
- 1 large spiral cut bone-in ham (about 10 lb)
- 2/3 cup seedless blackberry jam
- 2 chipotles in adobo (seeds removed, finely minced)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF (160ºC).
- Place the ham in a shallow baking dish or roasting pan, fatty side up. (If using a half ham, place it cut side down.) Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in the oven to bake. Set a timer for 15-18 minutes per each pound of ham.1 large spiral cut bone-in ham
- Approximately 45 minutes before the ham is scheduled to be done, combine the blackberry jam and the finely minced chipotles in adobo in a small dish. Stir well to create the glaze.2/3 cup seedless blackberry jam, 2 chipotles in adobo
- Remove the ham from the oven and carefully uncover it. Using a sharp knife, score the top of the ham in a diamond pattern if it is not already scored. Generously brush the prepared glaze mixture over the top and sides of the ham, ensuring an even coat.
- Return the glazed ham to the oven, uncovered. Continue to bake for an additional 45 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 145ºF (63ºC) is reached in the thickest part of the ham (avoiding the bone). For an even richer flavor and deeper color, baste the ham once or twice during this final baking stage with any accumulated glaze or pan juices.
- Once done, remove the ham from the oven. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before carving and serving. This resting period helps the juices redistribute, resulting in a more tender and flavorful ham.